Share

Whites must renounce acts like Lesufi-effigy, says Mokonyane

Patriotic white South Africans must take a stand and say: 'Not in my name', Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday after an effigy of Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was hung from a tree in Pretoria. 

The effigy was paraded through Tshwane earlier this week and the figure was eventually being hung by its neck outside the offices of Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.

Speaking after delivering the post-Cabinet statement, Mokonyane condemned the incident.

READ: Effigy of Lesufi 'insult to anyone who believes in non-racial education for all'

She found it particularly disturbing that it happened in April - the month in which South Africans celebrate their freedom, and in which struggle icon Solomon Mahlangu was hanged and South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani was killed.

She added that it was a minority who "behave this way". 

"We don't believe this is the attitude of many white South Africans," she said.

Mokonyane pointed out that there were laws in place to deal with hate speech and discrimination.

"Action must be taken," she said. "They must be isolated by all of us."

"I call on all patriotic white South Africans to stand up and say: 'Not in my name'."

READ: Hung effigy of MEC Lesufi a 'cowardice act by racists' - ANC

She also encouraged people to guard against circulating the pictures because it would be tantamount to "perpetuating what many South Africans refuse to be part of". 

Mokonyane added that the threats the MEC and his family had received were for the authorities to deal with.

Lesufi told News24 on Wednesday that he and his children had been receiving threats for quite some time.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 438 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 624 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.93
-0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.90
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.40
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
+1.3%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE